Gunmen storm government building in Libya

"Maitiq, a businessman from Libya's third largest city of Misrata, was sworn-in as prime minister last month. But he was immediately challenged by his predecessor Abdullah Thinni and some other politicians."

Tripoli, June 3 - A group of gunmen stormed a Libyan government compound Monday evening, demanding to transfer power to new Prime Minister Ahmed Maitiq, a security source said.

Dozens of militants driving vehicles mounted with anti-aircraft gun entered the government compound and asked the guards to hand over the building to Maitiq, Xinhua quoted the source as saying.

The gunmen did not fire a single shot. They instead negotiated with the guards and handed them Maitiq's assignment letter endorsed by the parliament before taking over the building.

Maitiq, a businessman from Libya's third largest city of Misrata, was sworn-in as prime minister last month. But he was immediately challenged by his predecessor Abdullah Thinni and some other politicians.

Thinni called the parliamentary vote that elected Maitiq invalid and has since refused to transfer power to Maitiq.

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